Dial-scale printing device



July 17, '1923. 1,461,949

M. A. SWEET. ET -AL DIAL SCALE PRINTING DEVICE Filed June 20 1919 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventors.

fly. 10

July 17, 1923.

M. A. SWEET ET AL DIAL SCALE PRINTING DEVICE Filed June 20. 1919 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN ARVINE SWEET AND GEORGE YVILLIAlT-I BBITION, OF HAMILTON,ONTARIO,

. CANADA.

DIAL-SCALE PRINTING DEVICE.

Application filed June 20, 1915s Serial No. 305,516.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, hIE-LYIN .fLRVINE SWEET and GEORGE WILLL-mrBnrr'roN, a citizen of the United States of America and a subject of theKing of Great Britain, re spectively, and both residents of the city ofHamilton, Province of Ontario, in the Dominion of Canada, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in a Dial- Scale Printing Device,described in the following specification and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings that form part of the same.

The principal objects of the invention are, to enable a positive recordof we hts being taken from dial scales by the print-- ing of the weightupon a record strip, and to devise a very simple form of attaclnnentwhich may be operated with ease and accuracy.

The principal feature of the inve t consists in the arrangement ofindie-at characters around the periphery of the dial and aconcentrically operable member adapted to co-operate with the saidcharacters to record the weight registered by the scale indicator.

v In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the dial of a scaleshowing the preferred form of my printing device arranged thereon.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional elevational view through the axis ofthe scale dial.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the printing device showing theposition of the parts in the printing operation.

Figure 4 is an elevational detail of a modified form of the device shownupon a segment of the scale dial rim.

In the use of weigh scales it is extremely desirable that the weightregistered upon the scale be indelibly recorc ed. This result has beenachieved upon beam scales by the marking device being carried by thecounterpoise which is move; along the beam but in dial scales the weightis indicated by a finely balanced rotating finger to which it isimpossible to connect any recording means. The present inventiontherefore contemplates broadly the application of type recording meansto a dial scale and the result may be accomplished in several Ways.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fi ures 1 and 2 the dial 1is circumferentially enclosed by a stationary circular frame 2 which isprovided with an out wardly extending cylindrical flange 3. Upon theperimeter of this flange is arran ed a type plate f having numeralspreferably arranged in radial relation with and corresponding to thenumerals of the scale on the dial.

A weight indicating finger 5 is rotatably supported upon the spindle 6arranged back of the centre plate 7 and it is preferably protected by aglass front 8.

in arm 9 secured to the frame 2 extends radially inward and forms thecentral bearing support 7 in axial alignment with the spindle 6 and uponthe outer side of the arm 9 is rotatably mounted an arm 1.0 whichextends radially from the centre and towards its outer end is preferablyofffrom the radial direction. The outer extremity of the arm 10 6X-tends beyond the perimeter of the frame 2 and projects over the samehaving an inwardly turned back portion 11 which is provided withfriction contact points 12 adapted to engage the inward side of theframe rim 2. A housing is thus formed over the rim and through the frontwall 13 of the housing there is formed a slot 14: w iich is arranged inline with the type surface of the type plate 4 so that a card insertedin the slot will pass over and be close to the face of the type.

The arm 10 is held in adjustable positions by means of a roller 15carried upon a spring arm 16 arranged within the housing and preferablysecured to a lug 17 on the back portion 11.

The roller 15 engages a toothed flange 18 secured to or formed upon theperimeter of the flange 3 of the stationary frame 2 and the teethcorrespond in number with the type on the type plate 4: and the rolleris so arranged as to rest between thtwo teeth when the centre of theslot lei is opposite to the numeral indicated upon the scale by theindicator finger A bar 19 is slidably and non-rotatably arranged in thefront wall 13 of the housing at the end of the arm 10 centrally abovethe slot 14 and upon the outer end of this bar is arranged a suitablegrip 20 which is adapted to be grasped by the operator to pull the baroutwardly.

set

A compression spring 21 encircles the inward end of the bar 19 whichreturns it to its normal position. Secured to the underside of the bar19 is a spring arm 22 which carries a rol1er23 at its forward end, saidroller being adapted to roll over the face of the type of the type platewhen the bar 19 is pulled outwardly. Thetension of the spring arm 22 isadjusted by means of an adjusting screw 24: so as to regulate theimpression of the type, An indicating finger 25 is secured to the inwardend of the pivot pin 26 of the arm 10 and is arranged in alignment withthe centre of the slot 14 and rotates with the arm 10. This finger 25passes through a central opening in the glass covering the dial androtates with the arm 10 so that the said finger may be broughtaccurately into register With the dial indicator 5 and when so broughtinto register the centre of the slot 14: will be aligned with thenumeral corresponding with the indicated weight on the dial. A card isthen inserted into the slot and the bar 19 is pulled forward and a typeimpres- 'sion made upon the card. The type may if desired be in codecharacters for maintaining secret weight records.

The dial scale may be of any suitable dimension, that is to say, it mayregister upon the dial one hundred pounds, or one thousand pounds, ormore,,but as here shown it is intendedto indicate up to one thousand anda special indicating device is arranged to show through the opening 27in the dial when the weight upon the scale runs into the thousands andindicates the number of thousands. The numerals arranged on theperimeter of the flange 2 correspond with the numerals of the dial andwhen additional numerals are required by reason of a greater weight, aspecial type disc 28 is operated to bring the required numeral intoregister with the numerals of the type plate 1. This disc is supportedina recess 29 arranged in the upper portion of the arm 10 below the slot14 and in radial alignment with the centre thereof and it is providedwith a thumb-piece 30 by means of which it is rotated.

Suitable types 31 are inserted into the periphery of the disc and anopening 32 is arranged in the side of the arm to disclose a portion ofthe front face of the disc. A pointer 33 is secured inthe arm andsuitable character indications are arranged upon the front face tocorrespond with the type which is arranged opposite to the centre of theslot.

It will be understood that when the scale indicates that a certainnumber of thousands have been passed the thumb piece 30 is turned untilthe corresponding number on the front face of the disc 28 registers withthe pointer 33 and the corresponding number is arranged in alignmentwith the type on the type plate 4. The disc may be of any size and isusually required to contain only the numerals from O to 9.

In the operation of this form of the device, when the weight is placedupon the scale the indicator 5 moves to show the amount of the load. Theoperator then by means of the hand swings the arm 10 on its pivot untilthe indicator finger 25 coincides with the indicator 5 and if excessnumerals .over the ,dial scale are indicated in the opening 27, the disc28 is rotated to correspond therewith The card is then inserted in theslot and the bar 19 pulled out and an absolute record of the weight isimpressed thereon.

The form of the device shown in Figure 1 comprises a carriage 35supported upon the outer perimeter of the flange 3 of'thc frame by therollers 36 and secured in position upon the flange by a pair of rollers37 supported from the forward side of the carriage and engaging acircumferential groove 38 in the inner side of the flange 3.

A finger 39 extends inwardlyfrom the carriage to the outer circumferenceof the dial. The operating features of the printing mechanism in thelatter construction are the same as in that already described, the only95 difference being that the carriage 35 is sup-- ported directly fromthe flange instead of being supported from a radial arm.

A printing device such as described can be readily designed to beapplied to any type of 100 dial scale. It is of extremely simpleconstruction and adds very little to the cost of the machine. It willalso be noted that the type plate 4L extends around the perimeter of theflange 3 and it is desirable that the 5 type be protected from damageand protection is afforded by means of a circular guard 40 which issecured to the arm 10 or carriage 35.

What we claim as our invention is 1. In a dial scale recording device,the combination with the dial and a circular frame surrounding the dial,of type characters arranged on the perimeter of said dial frame, acarriage supported from and em- 5 bracing said dial frame and adapted tobe moved concentricallytherearound being op.- erable from the front ofthe dial, and means manually operable from the front of the scalesupported by said carriage for taking ,[20 an impression from the type.

2. In a dial scale recording device, the combination with a circulardial frame hav ing type characters arranged around its perimeter, of acarriage embracing the A25 perimeter of said frame and rotatabletherearound, means manually operable from the front of the dial andsupported on said carriage for effecting an impression of the type,

a toothed ring on the perimeter of the frame "0 having teethcorresponding with the type characters, and means supported on saidcarriage for engaging said toothed ring.

3. In a dial scale recording device, the combination with a circularframe encompassing the dial, recording type arranged upon said frame inradial alignment with the scale markings, a member rotatably mounted andadapted to be moved circumferentially around said frame, a bar slidablyarranged in said rotatable member, a spring supported roller secured tosaid bar adapted to move across the face of the type to effect theimpression of the type upon a recording strip, and a suitable griparranged on the outer end of the bar.

4. A dial scale recording device, comprising a rim, type charactersarranged on said rim in radial alignment with the scale markings of thedial and corresponding therewith, a rotatable member adapted to be movedaround said rim, a supplementary type supporting member arranged uponsaid rotatable member and adapted to align with individual numerals orcharacters, and means for effecting the impression of the type.

5. A dial scale recording device, comprising, a rim, type charactersarranged on the periphery of said rim and in radial alignment with themarkings on the dial, a member adapted to be moved around said rim, adisc rotatably mounted in said rotatable member and having typecharacters on the perimeter thereof adapted to be moved into registerwith the type on the perimeter of the rim to supplement such characters,and means for effecting an impression from the type characters.

6. In a dial scale recording device, the combination with a rigid rimencompassing the dial, a succession of type characters ar ranged aroundthe perimeter of said rim in radial alignment with the scale markings onthe dial, a notched flange on said rim having notches coinciding withthe type characters, a carriage adapted to be moved around said rim andhaving a pointer adapted to extend toward the dial, means for taking animpression of the type, and a spring held roller arranged on saidcarriage engaging the notches in said flange and holding the car riagein definite positions during the printing operation.

7. A dial scale recording device, comprising a circular rim encirclingthe dial having an inwardly extending rigid radial arm, an arm pivotallymounted on said rigid arm in alignment with the centre of the dial, saidarm extending outwardly beyond said rim, type characters arranged on theperimeter of said rim, a slidable member secured in said arm and adaptedto effect an impression of the type, and an indicating finger secured tosaid rotatable arm and adapted to rotate adjacent to the face of thedial and beneath the rigid arm' 8. In a dial scale recording device, thecombination with a rim having type characters arranged on the perimeter,of a carriage adapted to be moved around said rim, said carriageextending each side of said rim, a spring arm secured on the inner sideof said carriage having a roller at its free end. a toothed flange onsaid rim engaging; said roller, a transversely arranged bar extendingthrough said carriage having a compression spring arranged on its innerextremity, a spring arm secured to said bar and having a roller on itsfree end adapted to engage the type, and an indicating finger operatingwith said carriage to indicate the relative position of the carriage inrespect to the scale indicating finger.

MELVIN ARVINE SWEET. GEORGE WILLIAM BRITTON.

Witnesses:

Gno. L. BRITTON, ARTHUR WHITE.

